This must-see match will have it all! Top 3 contenders Brian Ortega (#2) and Yair Rodriguez (#3) will clash in this epic featherweight bout for a shot at the title fight, currently championed by Alexander Volkanovski. Both are looking to bounce back after recent losses. Ortega took a blow from Volkanovski in his bid to take the belt, while Rodriguez fell to former champion, Max Holloway. Who will get a step closer to the title fight?
This will be Ortega’s first fight since losing to Volkanovski in UFC 266. The fight was his shot at the belt, going for the full five rounds. Unfortunately he lost via unanimous decision. Prior to that defeat, Ortega has had solid wins against the likes of Chan Sung Jung (aka Korean Zombie”), Frankie Edgar, Thiago Tavares and Cub Swanson. He also held a six fight win streak before being defeated by Max Holloway.
Is this his chance to get back in the win column?
Opposing him is #3 ranked Rodriguez, who is also looking to snag some wins. It will be the first time he fights this year, with his most recent fight against Holloway of whom he lost via unanimous decision. The fight was competitive, and considered one of the best for the year. Prior, Rodriguez collected wins against the likes of BJ Penn, Alex Caceres, Dan Hooker and Charles Rosa. He too, like Ortega also held a six fight win streak.
Can Rodriguez defeat Ortega and get closer to the belt?
Co-headlining will top ten contenders Askar Askarov (#3) and Alex Perez (#6) in a flyweight bout, along with Ricky Simon (#12) and Jack Shore (#14) in a Bantamweight bout. Who will it be?